DeSL announced it has attained Gold Certified status for the third consecutive year in the Microsoft Partner Programme. As a Gold Certified partner, DeSLhas demonstrated expertise with Microsoft technologies and a proven ability to meet customers' needs. Microsoft Gold Certified Partners receive a rich set of benefits, including access, training and support. These benefits also impact customers by providing a much higher level of service.

DeSL is a leading provider of web-based software, built with Microsoft.NET technology, to the apparel, footwear and textile sectors. With unrivalled technology the world class applications include PLM, Sourcing, ERP, CRM, WMS and e-Commerce - available as an integrated end-to-end solution or a modular departmental solution. DeSL is represented in the Americas by Bluewater Software and in China by Sunzsoft.

"We are extremely pleased to have attained Gold Certified Partner status in the Microsoft Partner Programme. This allows us to clearly promote our expertise and relationship with Microsoft to our customers for the third year," said Colin Marks Director of DeSL. "The benefits provided through our Gold Certified Partner status will allow us to continue to enhance the products that we provide globally".

Clare Barclay, Director, Partner Strategy and Programmes, Microsoft UK said: "Customers are looking for partner companies that can bridge the gap between their business demands and technology capabilities. They need to trust in companies that can act as an expert adviser for their long-term strategic technology plans. Microsoft Gold Certified Partners have certified expertise, direct training and support from Microsoft and build a positive customer experience with our technologies. Today, Microsoft again recognizes DeSLas a Gold Certified Partner for demonstrating its expertise in providing customer satisfaction using Microsoft products and technology."

DeSL's ISV/Software Solutions Competency recognizes the skill and expertise partners bring to market. DeSL have obtained this competency for the third year showing a continued successful record of developing and marketing packaged software based on Microsoft technologies, and showing they continue to maintain this and increase performance.

"Solutions competencies are an important way for Microsoft to better enable ISVs to meet customer needs," said Walid Abu-Hadba, corporate vice president of the Developer and Platform Evangelism Group at Microsoft Corp. "They allow ISVs to keep and win customers through their deep knowledge of solutions-based Microsoft platform technologies. Microsoft has a long history of working closely with ISV partners to help them deliver compelling solutions and applications to our mutual customers, and the Microsoft Competencies are an important step in continuing to enhance vital relationships with ISVs worldwide."

The Microsoft Partner Programme was launched in October 2003 and represents Microsoft's ongoing commitment to the success of partners worldwide. The program offers a single, integrated partnering framework that recognizes partner expertise, rewards the total impact that partners have in the technology marketplace, and delivers more value to help partners' businesses be successful.